Last month, Aliso Niguel High School housed a theater performance by Aliso Niguel and Dana Hills High School students … and now it's Dana Hills' turn.

The school's South Orange County School of the Arts (SOCSA) will present “The Pirates of Penzance” on Friday and Sunday night, featuring the talents of Dana Hills and Aliso Niguel students, as well as freshman Michael DiCamillo from Tesoro High School. Composed by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, “The Pirates of Penzance” marks the first full-length, two-act opera performed in the history of Dana Hills High School.

“We wanted a collaboration between SOCSA and Aliso Niguel, and this show is giving us the opportunity to do that,” Golden said. “‘The Pirates of Penzance' is one of Mr. Woods' personal favorites, and especially since many of his students were already familiar with some of the music from past Opera Night recitals, he wanted to find a way to fit it in the schedule.”

The 32 cast members began rehearsing with Woods, Golden and Aliso Niguel music director Lex Leigh two weeks before the school year started, with the principal characters starting a week earlier. Vocal coach Linda Linnebach, who has co-directed SOCSA Opera Night recitals with Woods for more than 10 years, also assisted with the production.

Golden says that the biggest challenge has been preparing the two-hour opera in just four weeks, overlapping with the hectic start of the school year.

Linnebach added that, in addition to the accelerated rehearsal process, the quantity and difficulty of the music makes the opera a “daunting production, even for professionals.”

As an operetta, or comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance” is mostly comprised of singing with little spoken dialogue. The opera's two acts include a total of 28 musical numbers, many of which are several minutes long.

“Because this is my first full operetta, there's that much more music, but I enjoy getting to add artistic flairs to my vocal parts,” said senior Megan Forster, who plays the leading female role. “When performing, it's exhilarating to be able to let go and feel free to embrace my own voice.”

Though Forster has some experience with classical music, taking second place last year in the classical division of the Monarch Beach Rotary Club's annual voice competition, she says that preparing for her role in “The Pirates of Penzance” has presented the ultimate vocal challenge.

“It's like preparing for a big race,” she said. “It's hard to sing in my high register every day, so I have to practice every day to keep my voice in good shape.”

Senior Spencer Martin, who plays the leading male role opposite Forster, has enjoyed exploring the complexities of his character in the opera.

“It has been really fun to try something new,” Martin said. “My past roles have been the stereotypical slapstick comedian or a normal, serious character, but playing Frederic allows me to blend dry humor and clever wit.”

The past few weeks of rigorous rehearsal will culminate in two performances in different venues.

As a result, Golden says that each show will be unique due to different staging.

“Over the past few weeks, it has been wonderful seeing the students discover a love of music and realize how much potential they possess,” Linnebach said. “They have all been working very hard, and it is delightful for me to watch their energy and spark.”

Spencer Martin, 17, at center, listens as John Carroll, 17, sings his advice to Martin on Sunday evening during a rehearsal of "The Pirates of Penzance." DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Nika Convertino, 16, of Laguna Niguel, makes her way on stage Sunday evening at the Casa Romantica. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Patricia Schuelke, 15,of Dana Point, gets into her solo on Sunday evening during a rehearsal of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Casa Romantica in San Clemente. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Director Jeremy Golden goes over the details of Sunday's rehearsal for "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Casa Romantica in San Clemente on Sunday evening. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Irvine's Lex Leigh, a keyboardist, reviews the music he will play for Dana Hill's performance of "The Pirates of Penzance." DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Conner Kupferberg, 16, plays along with Aubrey Rhodes, 17, during Sunday evening's rehearsal at the Casa Romantica in San Clemente. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Students work on their final moves during Sunday's rehearsal of "The Pirates of Penzance." DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Annalecia Wittwer, 17, laughs it up alongside Megan Forster, 17, on Sunday evening. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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